Comments on: Too Deaf? Too Pagan? Too Firewalking?

By: kamasea

kamasea — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:35:09 +0000

as a hearing mother of a deaf pagan Daughter i would so disagree. being different is what makes us who we are. Maybe some people take it wrong because you are happy with who you are and what to share it the world. It is important for us to remember everyone has their own path it is not our job to try and change that. so maybe some people need to remember that and learn to share in your joys as well as their own. just because you have learn to express your joy and self pride doesn’t mean you are shoving it down their throats.
lol they would hate my daughter for sure she goes around telling everyone they need to learn sign lol.

I have to say i have seen many deaf people who never learn self pride. so you go girl and know you are very special. The Goddess is watching you with pride as you share your joy with others.

By: deafbipolar

deafbipolar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:43:22 +0000

Read your latest post….I have to admit I agree with the guy….only because I’m coming from a long ago “question authority” time. For me, I finally realized that the way to work the system, is to get into the system and work my way out. I think that’s the guy’s perspective….and just my opinion. Hearing peeps are funny, they don’t care to mingle with things that are different. So of course we have to pick and choose who we want to hang with…

Hope all is well with you!

By: But Hello Anyway… « Deaf Pagan Crossroads

But Hello Anyway… « Deaf Pagan Crossroads — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:03:58 +0000

[...] ocean1025 Not too long ago, I published a post here at the Crossroads entitled “Too Deaf? Too Pagan? Too Firewalking?” This post was written as a response to a comment which was left on yet another one of my posts here [...]

By: Nydia

Nydia — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:01:35 +0000

I believe ther’s space for everybody in this room. That’s diversity to me. There’s space for those who stand out for their diferences and there’s space for those who prefer wlking anonymously, no matter why. I am a very open person about myself, about my differences and my similarities, and I do think it’s better being like that than eternally hiding ourselves for fear of not being accepted. But I also know a few people who are inside different closets for different reasons and they’re still nice people. Maybe I’m being naive, but let’s take some deep breaths? Please don’t throw me in the water for this!
Kisses, bright blessings, Nydia.

By: Kevin Roddy

Kevin Roddy — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:25:58 +0000

Hi–

Very interesting comments all!

I’ll comment briefly on it. I’ve read it only once and tried not to analyze it too much.

The beauty of us as humans is that we’re diverse. I LOVE diversity and all that it means.

We live at a time when members of groups that were once marginalized are now sitting down at the table and joining those who have enjoyed privilege.

We are living at a time when self-identification is important – to let others know what and who we are, to build bridges between communities where there were once tremendous gaps, and in our diversity, find our common humaness.

Some people have been very hurt by others who did not respect their differences. Some have managed to reclaim their dignity rather that wallow in anger and despair for their entire lives (there are those people too). The “survivors” wish to ensure that others know that they are proud of who they are by opening saying so to enlighten everyone that yes, deaf and gay and dyslexic and folks exist, get used to it!

Most of the differences people fight over are those they were born with – skin color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, hearing/deaf, and to a lesser extent, religion (e.g., being Jewish culturally as well as spiritually).

Maybe in a generation or two, we won’t need to do as much self identification. At least one indication of a massive shift in public option that I’ve noticed is that the younger generation really doesn’t seem to have a problem with gays and lesbians, and almost all the young people I know (I work at a community college) think gays and lesbians should have full marriage rights.

If you would have told me even 5 years ago that such a change would happen, I would have said you were crazy!

I believe in both standing out and blending in!

Yes, it IS possible!

Aloha from Honolulu,

Kevin

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:24:06 +0000

So – I’m not deaf, pagan or intolerant -but….

I see the point. Sometimes it’s easier to build relationships, starting with the “commonalities”, and not emphasizing the differences. I started reading your blog, not because it was about Paganism, but because of your posts on deafness. That was the commonality – not that I am deaf, but that was my interest.

Discrimination is hard to discern, as is whether some one is being offensive, or self- promoting, versus being open and sharing themselves.